Marriage Preparation

Step 1: Meet with your Pastor/Parish Delegate

When: Before setting a wedding date

Engaged or civilly married couples seeking to get married in the Church should contact Jennifer Blackstad at jenn@olmctempe.com or 480-967-8791 ext. 220 to schedule an appointment to begin the marriage preparation process.

Step 2: Marriage Preparation Inventory

When: 8-9 months before the wedding

OLMC uses a Marriage Preparation Inventory called FOCCUS/REFOCCUS. There is a $20 fee for the FOCCUS Assessment. Please note: a wedding date cannot be set until this step is completed.

Step 3: Married Life Skills Training

When: 7-8 months before the wedding

“Unitas: Preparing for a Sacramental Marriage” is the program base for the marriage preparation program. Unitas meets for seven consecutive Fridays from 7:00-9:00pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Each session follows a general format: topical presentations followed by small group discussions, or discussions as a couple. Couples are assigned to a sponsor couple who help lead the small group discussions. Each couple receives a workbook, which contains activities and worksheets for in-class and homework assignments. The program is designed to aid engaged couples in gaining additional insights into their relationship and involve them in the parish community. Unitas satisfies the Step 3: Life Skills requirement for marriage preparation in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Contact Information: Jennifer Blackstad at jenn@olmctempe.com or 480-967-8791 ext. 220

Step 4: God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage

When: 6-8 months before the wedding

Registration available online at phxmarriageprep.org/gods-plan-for-a-joy-filled-marriage-seminar ($85).

Step 5: Natural Family Planning Instruction

When: 4-6 months before the wedding

Please visit the Office of NFP at phxmarriageprep.org/nfp-natural-family-planning ($100).

Step 6: Sacrament of Reconciliation

When: Before the wedding

Step 7: Final Meeting with Priest

When: 4-6 weeks before the wedding

Schedule a final meeting with the wedding celebrant. Contact the Front Office Manager, Kelly Martin to schedule at kelly@olmctempe.com. At this point you will be ready to think about your wedding liturgy. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, we have Wedding Coordinators and a Wedding Music Coordinator to meet and assist you with the planning of your wedding liturgy. You will be contacted by the coordinators 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding date.